Assistant Controller

POSITION TITLE: Assistant Controller
DEPARTMENT: Accounting
LOCATION: Longview, WA (on-site)
REPORTS TO: Controller
STATUS: Full-Time, Salary
SALARY RANGE: $124,904.00 - $156,208.00 per year DOE

Closing date: Open Until Filled, first candidate review: 9/18/26

***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered a preference in hiring, please upload documentation with your resume and cover letter. Acceptable documentation includes Tribal Enrollment card, a letter from your Tribe stating your enrollment, or BIA 4432 and/or DD214.***

Position Summary:

Assists in the management and oversight of the daily operations of the Accounting Department and ensures that all financial and budgetary information is accurate, timely and in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Protects tribal assets by ensuring adherence to established internal controls. Honors and represents the mission, vision, values of CIT and Accounting department.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Improves staff effectiveness by coaching, counseling, training employees; planning, delegating, monitoring, and appraising job tasks and results in a timely manner.
• Hosts regular staff meetings to ensure communication between personnel, departments, and accounting related activities.
• Participates in interviewing and hiring of accounting staff. Provides oversight and direction to procurement and purchasing with regards to risk mitigation.
• Reviews, approves, and records general ledger transactions; ensures the accuracy of the general ledger.
• Creates and prepares accurate and timely financial statements.
• Prepares ad hoc reports and analysis as needed.
• Researches, adjusts and corrects transactions based on analysis or requests from other departments.
• Meets and coordinates activities with external and internal auditors, as needed, to assure the Tribe’s records comply with accounting standards and governmental regulations.
• Serves as support to the CFO and Controller as needed.
• Ensures budgets, audits, and fund accounting systems meets professional standards.
• Ensure the Tribe has the proper insurance coverage to protect tribal assets.
• Reviews and approves journal entries for monthly and year end reconciliations.
• Prepares budgets and pro-formas; assists the directors and project managers with preparation of financial projects; works with program managers to re-forecast budgets as required.
• Ensures fund accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable and payroll activities are properly carried out.
• Works with staff to maintain accounting records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) standards and practices and ensures all year-end accounts are properly reconciled and ready for audit.
• Contributes to departmental effectiveness by identifying short-term and long-range issues and goals that must be addressed; providing information and commentary pertinent to deliberations; recommending options and courses of actions; implementing directives.
• Pursues grant funding for the continuation or expansion of department or program services and functions; refers applicable grant and funding sources to other CIT departments and programs.
• Prepares and presents reports on the status, activities and plans for current and future operations.
• Contributes to a team effort and accomplishes related results as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of traditional form of government and tribal customs and traditions.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of management and fund accounting, finance, accounting, and business administration.
• Knowledge of the standards, policies, practices, and procedures of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and Governmental Accounting Standards.
• Knowledge of the development, preparation and control of budgets.
• Skill in operating various word-processing, spreadsheets, and database software programs in a Windows environment including accounting software such as MIP.
• Skill in preparing, reviewing, and analyzing operational and financial reports.
• Skill in supervising, training, and evaluating assigned staff.
• Skill in analyzing problems, projecting consequences, identifying solutions, and implementing recommendations.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to interact and maintain good working relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to create and present effective speeches and presentations.
• Ability to analyze situations and adopt appropriate courses of action.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with co-workers at all levels.
• Ability to work independently and meet strict timelines.
• Ability to make solid decisions and exercise independent judgment.
• Ability to interpret applicable federal, state, county and local laws, regulations, and requirements.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• Five years progressive work experience controlling centralized accounting activity for multiple fund programs and/or accounts.
• Two-year supervisory experience required.
• A combination of relevant education and related work experience may be considered.
• Valid driver’s license is required when driving vehicles for work-related purposes.
• Must be able to successfully pass a background screening / investigation according to the established requirements below.

Tribal preference in accordance with Cowlitz Indian Tribe Code and CIT Employee Policies and Procedures Handbook shall apply to all positions. All positions are required to adhere to CIT’s established safety policies regarding vaccine requirements and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Background Investigation Requirements:

• Pre-employment drug screen.
• Reference checks, education and employment verification.
• Federal, state, and/or tribal criminal history and sanction checks including fingerprint verification.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands or arms; and talk or hear. The employee occasionally is required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 20lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and clarity of vision at long distance.

Work Environment:

Work is generally performed in an office setting with a moderate noise level. Evening and/or weekend work may be required. Tight time constraints and multiple demands are common. Travel may be required for training, meetings, conferences, presentations, and other events.